The pregnane X receptor (PXR) was isolated as a xenosensor regulating xenobiotic responses. In this study, we show that PXR plays an endobiotic role by impacting lipid homeostasis. Expression of an activated PXR in the livers of transgenic mice resulted in an increased hepatic deposit of triglycerides. This PXR-mediated lipid accumulation was independent of the activation of the lipogenic transcriptional factor SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c) and its primary lipogenic target enzymes, including fatty-acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC-1). Instead, the lipid accumulation in transgenic mice was associated with an increased expression of the free fatty acid transporter CD36 and several accessory lipogenic enzymes, such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) and long chain free fatty acid elongase. Studies using transgenic and knock-out mice showed that PXR is both necessary and sufficient for Cd36 activation. Promoter analyses revealed a DR-3-type of PXR-response element in the mouse Cd36 promoter, establishing Cd36 as a direct transcriptional target of PXR. The hepatic lipid accumulation and Cd36 induction were also seen in the hPXR "humanized" mice treated with the hPXR agonist rifampicin. The activation of PXR was also associated with an inhibition of pro-␤-oxidative genes, such as peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor ␣ (PPAR␣) and thiolase, and an up-regulation of PPAR␥, a positive regulator of CD36. The cross-regulation of CD36 by PXR and PPAR␥ suggests that this fatty acid transporter may function as a common target of orphan nuclear receptors in their regulation of lipid homeostasis.

Cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT)-mediated sulfation plays an essential role in the detoxification of bile acids and is necessary to avoid pathological conditions, such as cholestasis, liver damage, and colon cancer. In this study, using transgenic mice bearing conditional expression of the activated constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), we demonstrate that activation of CAR is both necessary and sufficient to confer resistance to the hepatotoxicity of lithocholic acid (LCA). Surprisingly, the CARmediated protection is not attributable to the expected and previously characterized CYP3A pathway; rather, it is associated with a robust induction of SULT gene expression and increased LCA sulfation. We have also provided direct evidence that CAR regulates SULT expression by binding to the CAR response elements found within the SULT gene promoters. Interestingly, activation of CAR was also associated with an increased expression of the 3Ј-phosphoadenosine 5Ј-phosphosulfate synthetase 2 (PAPSS2), an enzyme responsible for generating the sulfate donor 3Ј-phosphoadenosine-5Ј-phosphosulfate. Analysis of gene knockout mice revealed that CAR is also indispensable for ligand-dependent activation of SULT and PAPSS2 in vivo. Therefore, we establish an essential and unique role of CAR in controlling the mammalian sulfation system and its implication in the detoxification of bile acids.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) have been identified as sterol sensors that regulate cholesterol and lipid homeostasis and macrophage functions. In this study, we found that LXRs also affect sensitivity to bile acid toxicity and cholestasis. Activation of LXR␣ in transgenic mice confers a female-specific resistance to lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced hepatotoxicity and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cholestasis. This resistance was also seen in wild-type female mice treated with the synthetic LXR ligand TO1317. In contrast, LXR double knockout (DKO) mice deficient in both the ␣ and ␤ isoforms exhibited heightened cholestatic sensitivity. LCA and BDL resistance in transgenic mice was associated with increased expression of bile acid-detoxifying sulfotransferase 2A (Sult2a) and selected bile acid transporters, whereas basal expression of these gene products was reduced in the LXR DKO mice. Promoter analysis showed that the mouse Sult2a9 gene is a transcriptional target of LXRs. Activation of LXRs also suppresses expression of oxysterol 7␣-hydroxylase (Cyp7b1), which may lead to increased levels of LXR-activating oxysterols. Conclusion: We propose that LXRs have evolved to have the dual functions of maintaining cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis by increasing cholesterol catabolism and, at the same time, preventing toxicity from bile acid accumulation. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:422-432.)

The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are essential components of alternative medicines. Many TCMs are known to alter the expression of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. The molecular mechanism by which TCMs and/or their constituents regulate enzyme and transporter expression, however, has remained largely unknown. In this report, we show that two TCMs, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis Baill) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch), and their selected constituents activate the xenobiotic orphan nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR). Treatment with TCM extracts and the Schisandrol and Schisandrin constituents of Wu Wei Zi induced the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in reporter gene assays and in primary hepatocyte cultures. The affected enzymes and transporters include CYP3A and 2C isozymes and the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2. In transient transfection and reporter gene assays, the Schisandrin constituents of Wu Wei Zi had an estimated EC 50 of 2 and 1.25 M on hPXR and mPXR, respectively. Interestingly, mutations that were intended to alter the pore of the ligand-binding cavity of PXR had species-specific effects on the activities of the individual Schisandrols and Schisandrins. In rats, the administration of Wu Wei Zi and Gan Cao increased the metabolism of the coadministered warfarin, reinforcing concerns involving the safe use of herbal medicines and other nutraceuticals to avoid PXR-mediated drug-drug interactions. Meanwhile, the activation of PXR and induction of detoxifying enzymes provide a molecular mechanism for the hepatoprotective effects of certain TCMs.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) are implicated in xenobiotic and endobiotic detoxification, including the clearance of toxic bilirubin. Previous studies have suggested both overlapping and preferential regulation of target genes by these receptors, but the mechanism of cross-talk remains elusive. Here we reveal a dual role of PXR in bilirubin detoxification in that both the loss and activation of PXR led to protection from hyperbilirubinemia induced by bilirubin infusion or hemolysis. The increased bilirubin clearance in PXR-null mice was associated with selective upregulation of detoxifying enzymes and transporters, and the pattern of regulation is remarkably similar to that of transgenic mice expressing the activated CAR. Interestingly, the increased bilirubin clearance and associated gene regulation were absent in the CAR-null or double-knockout mice. In cell cultures, ligand-free PXR specifically suppressed the ability of CAR to induce the multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (MRP2), a bilirubin-detoxifying transporter. This suppression was, at least in part, the result of the disruption of ligand-independent recruitment of coactivator by CAR. In conclusion, PXR plays both positive and negative roles in regulating bilirubin homeostasis, and this provides a novel mechanism that may govern receptor cross-talk and the hierarchy of xenobiotic and endobiotic regulation. PXR is a potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment of jaundice. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41: 497-505.)

Abstract-The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is highly expressed in liver, kidney, adrenals, and intestine. FXR may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases via regulating the metabolism and transport of cholesterol. In this study, we report that FXR is also expressed in rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC) Key Words: farnesoid X receptor Ⅲ bile acids Ⅲ endothelin-1 Ⅲ endothelial cells Ⅲ gene regulation E ndothelin (ET)-1, a peptide of 21 amino acid residues, is the most potent vasoconstrictive substance known. 1 Originally isolated from porcine aortic EC, 1 ET-1 is now known to be 1 of a family of 3 mammalian vasoactive peptides that also includes ET-2 and ET-3. 2 ET is produced predominantly by endothelial cells (EC), but it is also produced by leukocytes, macrophages, smooth muscle cells (SMC), cardiomyocytes, and mesangial cells. 3 ET-1 produced in the EC is predominately released abluminally toward the muscular media suggesting a paracrine/autocrine role.,All 3 ETs bind to 2 types of receptors named ET A and ET B : in the cardiovascular system, ET A receptors are found in SMC and cardiac myocytes, whereas ET B receptors are primarily localized on EC and certain vascular SMC. 4 The binding of ET-1 to SMC ET A and ET B receptors leads to vasoconstriction. 3,5 On the other hand, the activation of endothelial ET B receptors by luminal ET-1 stimulates the release of NO and prostacyclin and plays a role in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. 3,5 ET B receptors also mediate the pulmonary clearance of circulating ET-1 and the reuptake of ET-1 by EC. 3,5 The lungs represent a primary target for ET-1 effects and are a special site for ET-1 metabolic pathways. 5 A large body of evidence suggests that ET-1 may play an important role in the development of both primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. 5 The endothelin system also plays an important role in the pathophysiology of a variety of other cardiovascular diseases including congestive heart failure, renal failure, and cerebrovascular disease. 6 Recently, vascular ET-1 has received increasing attention as a therapeutic target for the management of a number of vascular diseases. 7 Recent studies with reporter gene have revealed important insight into regulation of the human ppET-1 promoter. Regions essential for high basal levels of ppET-1 promoter activity in EC include binding sites for the factors activator protein (AP)-1 and GATA-2. 8 -10 An element binding the vascular endothelial zinc finger-1 protein and mediating EC-specific gene expression has recently been described in the ppET-1 promoter. 11 Recently nuclear factor (NF)-B and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 signaling has also been shown to be involved in ET-1 regulation in cells that are stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cytokines. 12,13 Interestingly, ET-1 expression has been shown to be negatively regulated by several members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand...

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Efficient handling of oxidative stress is critical for the survival of organisms. The orphan nuclear receptor pregnane X receptor (PXR) is important in xenobiotic detoxification through its regulation of phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing/detoxifying enzymes and transporters. In this study we unexpectedly found that the expression of an activated human PXR in transgenic female mice resulted in a heightened sensitivity to paraquat, an oxidative xenobiotic toxicant. Heightened paraquat sensitivity was also seen in wild-type mice treated with the mouse PXR agonist pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile. The PXR-induced paraquat sensitivity was associated with decreased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, enzymes that scavenge superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Paradoxically, the general expression and activity of glutathione S-transferases, a family of phase II enzymes that detoxify electrophilic and cytotoxic substrates, was also induced in the transgenic mice. PXR regulates glutathione S-transferase expression in an isozyme-, tissue-, and sex-specific manner, and this regulation is independent of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2/Kelch-like Ech-associated protein 1 pathway. In cell cultures, expression of activated human PXR sensitizes the cancerous colon and liver cells to the cytotoxic effect of paraquat, which is associated with an increased production of the reactive oxygen species. The current study reveals a novel function of PXR in the mammalian oxidative stress response, and this regulatory pathway may be implicated in carcinogenesis by sensitizing normal and cancerous tissues to oxidative cellular damage.